Goals by Borges, Alpizar rally Saprissa to 2:1 victory over Marathon

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Celso Borges and Alejandro Alpizar both scored in the final 21 minutes to rally Deportivo Saprissa to a 2:1 victory over CD Marathon on Tuesday and climb into a tie for the Group A lead in the CONCACAF Champions League™.

Borges equalized in the 69th and Alpizar, who leads Saprissa with six goals in the Costa Rican league, won in the 85th.

The result left both with six points atop the group, three ahead of Cruz Azul, which was to play D.C. United on Wednesday. D.C. United has lost both of its first two games and have zero points.

Borges converted after a cross from Alfonso Solis was headed by Alpizar into his path as he streaked into the area. He touched the ball upward and struck it on a volley to give Saprissa four points in Group A.

Alpizar won the game, taking a ball from Solis unmarked on the left side, driving on goal and driving a right-footed low past Marathon goalkeeper Juan Angel Guitierrez.

Milton Nunez converted a penalty in the 51st minute to give Marathon the lead. Nunez struck a slow roller into the right side of the net after Randall Porras brought down Carlos Mejia as he closed on goal.

Saprissa dominated the first 25 minutes, creating several chances and forcing Guiterrez to tip a shot over the bar in the sixth, block another by Solis with his feet in the ninth and punch a corner kick around the near post in the 24th.

Marathon finally managed to gain some possession and play the rest of the half more evenly.

Marathon, playing its first game away from home in the Champions League™, was coming off a 2:0 loss to Real Espana in the Honduran league, its first loss in nine games over six weeks in all competitions.

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